The thickness effects on acoustic properties of oil palm trunk natural fiber in density of 170 kg/m3

• Main Author: Dewanathan Mariappan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Oil palm frond; Natural fibre board

ABSTRACT In this modern day, sound pollution is known as a major problem been debated on parliaments which cause harmful effects to environmental. Noise pollution is difficult to be obviated but it can prevented by installing sound absorbers [1, 9]. However, current sound absorber panel are consist of synthetic materials which are causes risky effects in terms of all sector. The best substitute to replace sound absorber panel are used natural fibre thus it consist of several useful advantages. Motive of this project are discusses about the effects of different thickness on morphologies and on acoustic properties of Low Density Fibreboard (LDF) of Oil Palm Frond (OPF). In this research paper, has studied the natural fiber oil palm frond as the sound absorber in 4 different thickness of 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 18 mm with a constant density of 180 kg/m3. All the sample has tested into two types of test, which Sound Absorption Coefficient (SAC) test and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test. SAC test was conducted using Impedance Tube Method (ITM) to determine the acoustic properties of OPF whereas SEM test is conducted to analyzed relationship between the SAC and morphologies and microstructure of the content. Overview from the results been obtained, sample with thickness of 12 mm was considered as the most ideal fiberboard as it achieved well in both SEM and SAC test. The results showcase sample with thickness 12 mm achieved SAC value of 0.98 at frequency of 4000 Hz and 4400 Hz as it is considerable as high frequency. However, all the 4 sample with different thickness can be categorize under Class A, Class B and Class C according to Sound Absorption Coefficient Class Chart since the SAC values obtain more than 0.8 from frequency of 2500 Hz to 6400 Hz. Sample with 12 mm has good pore opening and its spreading silica bodies which improve the sound absorption rate. Finally it can concluded that, Oil Palm Frond (OPF) natural fibre is environmental friendly and has high possible to be used as sound absorbing material as a replacement material to current sound absorption board in the global market.